Sandstone overhangs along the river Urr that sheltered prehistoric people and then became the surface they painted on.
Near the village of Nanaun, along the river Urr, also called the Urvashi, are the earliest imprints of human existence in this region. The sandstone formations that would have sheltered prehistoric people from sun and rain also became the surface for their art, and the paintings are found all the way from Chota Bharka to the Bharka waterfall.
Most are simply executed in red ochre, and their subjects reflect the concerns of wandering people. The time range is wide: from the Palaeolithic age, when the drawings were stick like lines, to the Neolithic, when figures were given internal patterning and filled in forms.
Scenes of hunting dominate, with humans carrying weapons and shown riding. These are the clearest narrative panels and the easiest for a first time visitor to make sense of without help.
The animal list is long: bulls, cows, deer, stags, tigers, elephants, camels, monkeys, crocodiles and snakes, along with birds and even beehives. Picking out the less obvious ones is most of the pleasure of a visit.
Nanaun is not the only painted site here. Similar drawings have been found in cave shelters at Raja Caves, Gidkhal, Chiroli along the river Belan, Bharki, Aamkho along the Ghoda Pachad, the Deokani hills, and Thubon along the river Lilat.
The paintings are spread across open rock shelters along a river valley, not gathered at a single ticketed point. Local guidance makes the difference between seeing a few panels and seeing many.
The dry months from October to March are the right season, since the approach follows the river valley and involves walking over rock. Early morning gives both cooler walking and raking light that helps faded red ochre stand out.
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